b"EXPORT LANDSCAPEis in the States, she says, so this hashorn and turtle rattles, paddles and war been a stressful time. clubs. Since founding the business in 2017, they too do a lot of online sales. Templemans business model is quiteWe've gotten really resilient with our common among Indigenous womenonline sales and have expanded our entrepreneurs, especially when startinggold collection, says Dakota. We want out. Its a home-based business thatto create heirloom products. revolvesaroundacrafts-oriented product.MyhusbandaskedmeDakota estimates that almost half Why is it every Indigenous womanof their business today is in the U.S. I know crafts? I had a conversationWith the current trade war, they face about this with my mom. She saidsignificant challenges in their supply that as Indigenous women, we have aof raw materials. A lot of the metal strong tradition of resourcefulness andexchanges back and forth through the creativity to support our families, andUnited States so my industry is being this carries forth into our business prac- impacted by the tariffs, she says.tices as well, Templeman says.Many Indigenous women today runWhats more, gold prices tend to rise in businesses based on traditional prac- times of economic uncertainty, which tices. These enterprises focus on aalso pushes up supply costs for the knowledge of herbs, beading, sewingjeweller. There has been an increase in and the like, which naturally lend them- the prices of our raw materials, Dakota selves to international business withsays. If the price of gold is going up, e-commerce, says Templeman. Online[it has] an impact on our prices. When ventures, she adds, are allowing usthe price per gram goes up, we have to scale our business beyond theto factor that into our pricing.local market while also honouring our Indigenous roots. The pricing pressure applies even though much of the gold that Sapling However, with a large volume of her& Flint acquires comes in the form of sales coming from across the border,scrap metal that is taken to a refinery to this makes for very challenging times.be melted down and reshaped into new Besides diversifying her sales outlets,creations. A lot of my jewelry is made Templeman is considering expandingout of old Canadian jewelry, Brant her product line with traditional dyesnotes. Of all the industries related and is not ruling out raising prices into gold, jewelry is the largest recycler the future. I dont see it making meof gold.close my business, but how am I going to manage this if I have to increaseWhile their businesses may target There has been anprices?, she asks. If I have to raisedifferent markets and are at different prices, is that going to impact sales?stages of development, Dakota and increase in the pricesIts a lot of stress. Templeman share a lot in common as Indigenous women business owners of our raw materials.PRICING CHALLENGES selling their products online to both Teyotsihstokwthe Dakota Brant is If the price of gold isthe co-founder and CEO of Saplingthe Canadian and U.S. markets. While & Flint, a fine jewelry company on Sixonline businesses have inherent advan-going up, [it has] anNations of the Grand River Territory intages in accessing the global market-place, this also leaves them more impact on our prices.southwestern Ontario. Her twin sistervulnerable in the face of global crises, Yoneny:kenht Jesse Brant is a trainedlike todays unprecedented trade war. When the price pergoldsmith. They are Mohawk Turtle clan members, and their business is named gram goes up, wefor the twin boys in the Ohswekn:'aIn the future, says Dakota, it will be Creation Story tradition. important to look at your business have to factor thatstrategically and see how Canadians Sapling & Flint specializes in goldcan support Canadian businessnot into our pricing. and sterling silver pieces such asto forget about my American customers, rings and pendants. Their collectionsbut to remember that when you're Dakota Brant, Sapling & Flint include images from the natural world,shoppingIndigenousbusinesses lacrosse (the Creators Game) andyoure supporting Canadian businesses Haudenosaunee traditional items likeas well.36A CCIB PUBLICATIONSummer 2025"